The Arab-American Chamber of Commerce stated today that it welcomes the visit to the United States of Crown Prince Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz, Deputy Prime Minister and Commander of the National Guard, noting that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is the USA's largest commercial partner in the Arab world, with a trade volume of over U.S. $ 18 billion and Saudi-American joint projects inside the Kingdom valued at around $17 billion. Saudi exports to the USA increased from U.S. $ 8.78 billion in 1996 to $ 9.26 billion in 1997, while imports from the U.S. increased from $ 7.29 billion to $ 8.45 billion. Meanwhile, Professor Mamoun Fendi of the Center for Contemporary Arab Research at Georgetown University has underlined the importance of the Crown Prince's visit, noting that it comes at a time when efforts need to be exerted to realize peace in the Middle East.